Ladysmith Black Mambazo at ACL Live

Saturday Jackie saw the Ladysmith Black Mambazo performance at ACL Live and reports:

We had seen the male chorus from South Africa before, back in the ‘80s, when Paul Simon’s Graceland brought them global popularity. Their close harmony is magical and they spice it up with Zulu dancing. The group has been singing for 52 years; the founder, Joseph Shaalala is now 70. Last night he introduced his youngest son, Thamsanga, who will take over when Joseph has to retire. (But Joseph seemed quite capable.) They “travel the world spreading the message of peace, love and harmony.” They also sang an exhortation for “rain, rain. rain,” which the local crowd really appreciated.